A GROUP of Sea Scouts transformed an overgrown patch of land into a deluxe bird-feeding area with a nautical theme.

The 8th Blyth Sea Scouts created a wildlife haven outside the training hut at Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club, near Consett– which now doubles-up as a bird hide.

The group has group membership and a fleet of eight sailing dinghies at the club.

The project was funded by the group's £100 prize as runner-up in the Love Northumberland Awards's Young People category, for which they were nominated for carrying out regular litter picks on Blyth beach and in the surrounding area.

They cleared the area and cut down weeds and grass, made bird feeders, using natural materials and recycled objects, and added an old boat as a centrepiece with a mast to hang them from. A log pile was also created to provide a home for minibeasts and shelter for hedgehogs. They also bought bird identification posters from the RSPB centre at Saltholme, nuts and seed for the winter months.